title: Dorsal stabilization of atlantoaxial subluxation using non-absorbable sutures in toy breed dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a novel dorsal technique for stabilization of atlantoaxial subluxation in toy breed dogs using 3-metric nylon suture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen toy breed dogs with a body weight of 2 kg or less with atlantoaxial subluxation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The atlantoaxial joint of each dog was surgically stabilized through a dorsal approach by placing a double strand of non-absorbable, 3-metric, nylon suture material between the dorsal muscles of the atlanto-occipital and the atlantoaxial joint muscles. Pre- and postoperative neurological status, diagnostic imaging, and complications were reviewed. Clinical follow-up examination was performed at six months. For long-term assessment, a telephone follow-up was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No intra-operative complications were observed. Functional improvement occurred in 12 dogs. One dog did not improve and four dogs required revision surgery. In two of those four cases, suture material breakage was proven and it was suspected in the other two. Two cases underwent a second dorsal approach with the same suture material and two cases underwent a ventral approach (transarticular fixation and multiple implants embedded with polymethylmethacrylate).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dorsal stabilization using 3-metric nylon may be adequate as a safe, effective, and simple alternative technique for atlantoaxial stabilization in toy breed dogs of ≤1.5 kg of weight, in which the use of ventral screws and pins is challenging.
authors.affiliation: Daniel Sánchez-Masian, DVM, MRCVS, Animal Health Trust, Centre for Small Animal Studies, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, England, Phone: +44 1638 552 700, Fax: +44 1638 555 600, E-mail: daniel.masian@aht.org.uk.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Masian
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luján-Feliu-Pascual
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Font
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mascort
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D049628:Body Size; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D013537:Sutures / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Atlantoaxial; non-absorbable suture material; toy breed dog